A quiet revolution has been fermenting in the South African wine universe. Once considered an outsider in the global wine landscape, South Africa now sits comfortably at the table of the world’s most respected producers. The international market has begun to wake up, at last, to the honest elegance, remarkable terroir, and deep cultural resonance of South African wines.

On 12 June 2025 in Rosebank, this transformation takes centre stage as Aspire Art announces the launch of its new dedicated Wine auction category, in proud partnership with Rueda Wine Co., marking a bold and natural evolution in the company’s commitment to cultivate and elevate premium collecting genres for both local and international audiences.

This strategic expansion recognises fine wines not only as a luxury indulgence but as a sophisticated asset increasingly sought after, where sensory pleasure, connoisseurship, long-term capital appreciation and cultural cachet all go hand in hand.

With a reputation for building bespoke art collections for auction and redefining the African art market, Aspire now extends its expertise to the world of fine wine. As global collectors increasingly approach wine as they would do art, by valuing provenance, rarity, terroir, and time, Aspire and RWC offer a new open market platform where exceptional bottles will be presented with the same curatorial rigour.

The landmark inaugural auction, The Grand Pour: Rare & Premier Wines, opens for bidding online on the same evening and will feature storied vintages from The Sadie Family Wines, Mullineux, Boekenhoutskloof, Kanonkop, and Porseleinberg, alongside legendary and prestigious international estates with impeccable storage history and collector-grade provenance.

“We’re excited to open this new chapter in Aspire’s expansion,” says Marelize van Zyl. “There’s a natural synergy between fine wine and fine art collecting. Both appeal to clients who value aesthetic and emotional connection, as well as long-term investment. Like art, wine tells a unique story.  Our clients are increasingly seeking experiences that transcend traditional categories. With wine, they’re not simply acquiring a bottle, they’re investing in heritage and celebrating culture.”

A wine collection like no other

The inaugural auction, The Grand Pour: Rare & Premier Wines by Aspire Art and RWC, represents a distinctive, one-of-a-kind ensemble: over R2 million in reserve value spanning cult-status South African masterpieces and rare, international icons seldom seen on our shores.

Curated by Louis Kotzé, Director at Aspire Art and Fernando Rueda, Managing Director of RWC, each lot has been meticulously vetted for provenance, cellaring conditions, and pedigree to present rare and unmatched portfolio that blends local brilliance with international prestige designed to appeal to serious collectors, new-generation investors, and premium wine enthusiasts alike.

The catalogue is built around South Africa’s most celebrated 100-point wines and cult labels, alongside top global icons.

Among the stars of the South African line-up:

• Kanonkop Paul Sauer 2015 – The first local wine to ever score a 100-point rating from Tim Atkin MW, a Bordeaux-style Stellenbosch blend with immense ageing potential.
• Porseleinberg Syrah 2018 – From Swartland’s schist-rich soils and crafted by Callie Louw, this perfectly scored Syrah has achieved near-mythical status.
• Sadie Family Columella 2019 – Eben Sadie’s flagship red, another Tim Atkin 100-pointer, offering depth, elegance, and a rare window into Swartland terroir at its finest.

Paired alongside these homegrown treasures are trophies of the global wine scene:

• Domaine de la Romanée-Conti La Tâche Grand Cru 2002 – Arguably Burgundy’s most coveted producer.
• Pétrus 2006 – A Merlot-driven Bordeaux from Pomerol, whose name alone commands global reverence.
• Masseto 2010 – Tuscany’s famed Super-Tuscan, with a 100-point pedigree and a cult following.
• Château Lafite-Rothschild 2008 – A Bordeaux First Growth icon whose name has long been synonymous with the zenith of wine class and quality.

The auction lots span single bottles to large-format magnums and vertical collections. Whether you’re a seasoned investor seeking First Growth Bordeaux or a passionate oenophile intrigued by the rise of South African Chenin Blancs, there is something for every collector’s palate and portfolio.

The inclusion of Tim Atkins’ 100 point wines presents bidders with the unique opportunity to add these highly sought-after wines to their collections either as investment pieces or to enjoy during life’s milestones as auspicious celebration wines

Investing in taste, culture, and legacy

Wine collecting has grown beyond the vaulted cellars of legacy collectors. Increasingly, millennials and Gen Zs are entering the scene, drawn by the blend of cultural heritage, personal expression, and long-term value.

In a time when digital assets and intangible investments dominate the financial landscape, collectors and investors are turning their attention to something more grounded and more personal. Wine is fast becoming one of the most compelling categories in the world of passion investments.

At its core, wine is a cultural artefact. Each bottle represents a specific place, a unique moment in time, and the vision of its maker. To collect wine is to curate a living archive of craftsmanship, terroir, and evolving taste. It’s where agricultural excellence meets sensory pleasure.

As Kotzé notes, “Wine is one of the few investments that truly touches every sense, it’s not just about returns, it’s about reverence.”

The curated nature of this auction reflects the “boutique meets blue-chip” approach familiar to top-tier global sales. Many lots are structured as verticals or magnums, which are formats favoured by investors for their value appreciation potential. This catalogue is not only rare for its content but also its intent: it signals South Africa’s readiness to participate in the global fine wine auction economy on its own terms, with confidence, depth, and style.

The beginning of a long-poured partnership

This is the first in what will become a regular series of iconic and premier wine auctions from Aspire Art and Rueda Wine Co., a partnership built on a shared commitment to excellence, legacy, and access. Aspire Art brings its auction house pedigree and discerning clientele; RWC, under the leadership of Fernando Rueda, brings deep industry knowledge and access to both local and international cellars that remain elusive to most buyers.

“This isn’t just an auction, it’s a cultural statement,” says Kotzé. “We are showcasing South Africa’s rise, not just as a wine-producing country, but as a taste-making nation.”

“For me, each wine in this auction is more than a bottle, it’s a story of people, place, and patience adds Rueda, whose icredible knwoledge, stewardship and passion punctuate his commitment to making premium wines accessible. “ This new auction partnership with Aspire Art is an opportunity to share the rare and exceptional, to make wines that inspire reverence available to collectors and wine lovers across South Africa and abroad. It’s about creating a bridge between global icons and local brilliance, and most of all, building a community of connoisseurs who value quality, heritage, and the joy of the shared table.”

The Grand Pour: Rare & Premier Wines Auction will take place online from 12 June to 27 June 2025.